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Bubble flow in the downflow section of an airlift tower
Author(s) -
Orazem M. E.,
Fan L. T.,
Erickson L. E.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.260210907
Subject(s) - airlift , tower , mechanics , inlet , flow (mathematics) , cylinder , airflow , bubble , environmental science , chemistry , mathematics , physics , thermodynamics , engineering , geometry , mechanical engineering , structural engineering , bioreactor , organic chemistry
Characterization of the two‐phase flow in the downflow section of the airlift tower is necessary for accurate modeling of the airlift tower. A Split‐cylinder airlift tower was investigated for superficial gas velocities ranging from 0.0683 to 0.3315 m/sec for an air–water system. Statistical cross‐covariance techniques were used to yield velocities, void fractions, and flow rates corresponding to upward and downward components of bubble flow in the downflow section of the airlift tower. From these results the fraction of incoming air entrained in the downflow section was determined as a function of superficial gas velocity and position.